University of Massachusetts Boston
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Challenging Perceptions of Voice, Agency, and Empowerment Through the Lens of Current and Former High School Students
No full textThis study sought to understand the problems and gaps associated with the ways “student voice” has been conceptualized and researched in education. It explored previous research conducted in the areas of student engagement, student voice, student agency, and empowerment. In addition, the findings revealed a need for more critical and intersectional research around student voice and agency to amplify the voices of students who have historically not been heard and included in school decision making. As such, this study documented high school students’ experiences with student voice in ways that center their complex identities and privilege the power and possibilities of their voices.
Using a visual action research design, the study brought together six high school and former high school youth for a series of workshops and individual interviews. Youth participants created and shared various visual narratives with the primary researcher and each other to identify and illustrate the ways they had experienced and encountered voice, agency, and empowerment over the course of their high school careers. The study’s research design and findings challenge dominant narratives and applications of language related to voice, agency, and empowerment, arguing for a positioning of youth voice, agency, and empowerment outside the confines of limiting, adult-dominated, and saturated language about how youth participate in their own schooling and learning experiences
Town-Level Risk Factors Associated with 65+ Lung Cancer in New England
No full textLung cancer is the most common cancer globally and mainly affects older adults as approximately 70% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are aged 65 or older. While there is an abundance of research conducted at individual levels identifying risk factors for developing lung cancer, research at geographic levels is less well-developed. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the geographic-level risk factors associated with community rates of lung cancer.
Study 1 conducted a systematic review to identify risk factors associated with lung cancer at geographic levels conducted in the empirical literature. CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched. Inclusion criteria was an outcome of lung cancer incidence, the units of analysis were geographic units (i.e., states, counties, communities), and published in English. Twenty studies were included, and thirteen unique geographic-level risk factors associated with lung cancer incidence were identified.
Informed by the findings of study 1, studies 2 and 3 utilized data from the Healthy Aging Data Report Masterfile’s and other publicly available secondary datasets to examine geographic-level risk factors with lung cancer prevalence in our study sample of N=796 towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Study 2 conducted a factor analysis for data reduction purposes and three latent constructs emerged: urbanicity and access to screening facilities, comorbid respiratory conditions, and presence of toxic release facilities. In regression analyses, the latent construct comorbid respiratory conditions was strongly associated with town-level lung cancer and comprehensive smoke free legislation coverage, ozone emissions, and 65+ with low education were also significant risk factors.
Lastly, study 3 aimed to use spatial modelling to identify the direct effects the risk factors had on a town’s lung cancer rates. Hot spot analyses identified multiple clusters of hot and cold rates in our sample and spatial regression models found comorbid respiratory condition prevalence and ozone emissions were found to increase prevalence of lung cancer by 7% and 8%, respectively.
Overall, this dissertation adds to the knowledge base of how place affects health. Findings from the three studies demonstrate the role town-level risk factors play in 65+ lung cancer rates
What Did Your Mama Think About That?: An Asset-Focused Approach to the Socialization Experiences of Black Doctoral Students
No full textThis dissertation explores how Black doctoral students navigate their educational journeys, even when faced with systems that limit their potential. The study delves into how these students tap into their unique cultural assets to confront and surmount barriers to their success. The dissertation’s primary focus lies in understanding and appreciating the cultural wealth, unique knowledge, and profound insights Black doctoral students bring to their academic pursuits. Through a qualitative study involving 12 participants, it uncovers valuable insights and fresh counter-narratives that can lend support to Black doctoral students and spur the generation of more data reflecting their successes.
One of the key outcomes of this study is the development of a novel framework for understanding success in doctoral education, named the Black Doctoral Student Asset Model (BDSAM). The BDSAM is not just an academic model but a practical guide for individuals and institutions committed to boosting success rates for Black doctoral students. From pre- enrollment and admissions, through doctoral socialization and program interactions, to advising, mentoring, and engagement leading to graduation, the BDSAM offers a comprehensive look at the journeys of Black doctoral students. In providing this holistic perspective, this research fills an existing void in the current body of literature
Hearing, Seeing, and Reading is Believing: A Study of Undergraduate Women and Messages About Careers
Get PDFThis study sought to understand how undergraduate women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds make meaning of the different career messages they receive and how those messages shape their early career decisions. The study was framed by vocational anticipatory socialization (VAS) and meaning making. Participants reflected on the career messages they received from childhood through their college education. By using photos and images submitted in advance by each participant, participants were able to delve deeper into the meaning they derived from each image/photo as it related to their ideas about career paths. This study findings advance the understanding of messages about careers that are received by undergraduate women and amplify the importance of support and agency in making career decisions. Practical implications for women students and their families include participating in groups or programs with students with shared identities, career interests, and goals. Implications for career counselors, academic advisors, and student affairs professionals include further academic and career integration, cross-training of collective advising staff, and continual development of new strategies for reaching out to women students
Synthesis and Characterization of Earth Abundant Metal Catalysts for Photothermochemical Dry Reforming of Methane
No full textThe dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction converts the two most abundant greenhouse gases, CO2 and CH4, into desirable fuels (i.e., syngas) under extreme heat in the presence of a catalyst. Although the high energy required to drive this reaction is traditionally provided by a furnace, resulting in the emission of the same harmful greenhouse gases. By coupling thermal energy with solar energy, known as photothermochemical dry reforming of methane (PTC-DRM), the sustainability and efficiency of the reaction has been shown to improve. Excellent catalytic activity and stability under PTC-DRM conditions were designed using scarce and high-cost noble metals, although their widespread use is unrealistic due to their limited accessibility. Earth abundant semiconductor cerium oxide (CeO2) is a promising candidate for PTC-DRM due to its enhanced redox properties, which promote oxygen vacancies in the semiconductors lattice structure. This leaves CeO2 with excellent oxygen storage capabilities since oxygen vacancies serve as adsorption sites for CO2. However, CeO2 is only activated by UV irradiation, and compared to other PTC-DRM supports it provides a small surface area which limits nanoparticle dispersion. Metallic nickel (Ni0) has been shown to narrow the bandgap of CeO2 and has promising catalytic activity by being an active site for CH4. While Ni catalysts show great catalytic potential, efforts lie in resisting deactivation due to nanoparticle aggregation and/or coking. Ensuring highly dispersed nanoparticles and reducing the acidity of the catalysts surface have been explored to address the downfalls of Ni-CeO2 catalysts. High concentrations of oxygen vacancies and strong metal support interactions have also been shown to enhance catalytic activity and stability under PTC-DRM conditions. In this work, a hollow rod-like MOF-derived CeO2 support was synthesized, providing high surface area, and enhancing nanoparticle dispersion proven by TEM imaging and EDS mapping. This feature should help nanoparticles resist aggregation and simultaneously increase the number of catalytic active sites. Amphoteric Ga2O3 was chosen to reduce acidity of the catalyst surface and aid in coke accumulation. It was confirmed through XRD and XPS that the catalyst support existed as cubic fluorite CeO2 and was decorated with Ga2O3 alongside two different nickel species. XPS confirmed that nickel existed as Ni in close coordination with CeO2 as well as Ni0. XPS and H2-TPR suggested this strong metal support interaction between Ni and CeO2 was attributed to the addition of Ga2O3 nanoparticles. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed enhanced visible light absorption and bandgap narrowing of CeO2 due to Ni0. Oxygen vacancies were assessed through XPS and Raman spectroscopy, showing an improved number of vacancies in the CeO2 support with Ga2O3 and Ni0 nanoparticles. Full characterization of Ni-Ga2O3-CeO2 photocatalyst was achieved in this work, and the results showed promising characteristics for a PTC-DRM catalyst. Photocatalytic potential of this catalysts remains unknown, therefore catalytic experiments must be performed under varying intensities and wavelengths of light (PTC-DRM) and in the dark (DRM) to determine the effect of wavelength on catalytic activity. The explored research provides an option for utilizing sustainable energy while using bountiful materials to mitigate greenhouse gas concentrations in our atmosphere
The Role of Public Preschool Services in Addressing and Mitigating the Trauma Among Young Children of Syrian Refugees in Turkey
No full textThe war in Syria has created the world’s largest refugee and displacement crisis and become the biggest humanitarian emergency of our time. Over 3.6 million Syrian refugees live under temporary protection in Turkey, and half of them are children. Most Syrian refugees have experienced significant trauma and mental health problems due to armed conflict and forced displacement from home. Young children of Syrian families are more vulnerable and have experienced higher rates of trauma than adults. They need mental, psychological, and emotional assistance along with language and financial support. To support the well-being and mental health of Syrian refugee children with trauma experiences, a number of early education strategies can be incorporated through the trauma-informed care (TIC) approach in Turkish preschools. The primary goals of this study are to better understand the capacity of public preschool services in identifying, responding to, and mitigating war-related trauma among young Syrian refugee children. Accordingly, this study uses an explanatory sequential mixed method research design, including a teacher questionnaire, focus groups with preschool teachers and school counselors, and document analysis to explore preschool teachers\u27 and school counselors’ attitudes, skills, and knowledge about trauma, trauma-informed care, and practices in Turkish public preschools. Participants included 57 preschool teachers and 28 school counselors. The findings showed that preschool services in Turkey are not able to provide adequate psychosocial support to Syrian refugee children. TIC is not known among preschool teachers and school counselors. Preschool teachers and school counselors do not feel adequately/well prepared to teach Syrian refugee children who are exposed to trauma in their classrooms. In addition, the majority of participants focused on the lack of preservice training and suggested that preschool teacher education programs should include more courses related to trauma, trauma effects on child development, and well-being in migrant and refugee children. Preschool teachers and school counselors also reported that they do not work collaboratively in the school to identify, mitigate, and prevent trauma in Syrian refugee children. Lastly, the National Preschool Program does not include any topic or words related to trauma, trauma-informed care, strategies, and teaching practices and objectives. This study contributed to the preschool policies, curriculum, and educators in many ways. Firstly, it presented the capacity and resources of Turkish public preschool services in providing trauma-informed care for young Syrian refugee children. It helped to identify the lack and challenges in trauma-informed policies and practices in early education. This study also provided an understanding of the experiences, skills, and background of preschool teachers and school counselors relating to trauma-informed practices and intervention. It provided a foundation for future research and policies about how to integrate trauma-informed care (TIC) into the Turkish preschool services and national curriculum
Two Identities Two Impostors One Student
Get PDFImposter Syndrome is a well-known psychological phenomenon characterized by a persistent feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of competence and success. While current research has identified five types of Impostor Syndrome, This synthesis offers the existence of an additional impostor type. This study aims to investigate the existence of Impostor Two-Two-One” (ITTO), where college students coming from underrepresented backgrounds develop multiple social identities in which each social identity carries different fears of being exposed as a fraud or impostor. Data was collected in the form of structured interviews with students who identify as a combination of first-generation, low-income, and students of color. Results were analyzed using a qualitative case study approach to identify common themes related to the existence of this additional impostor type. In addition to the case study approach the results were also analyzed using the author’s years of professional experience, life experiences, and developed skills as a reflective practitioner gained during his studies as a graduate student of UMass Boston’s Critical and Creative Thinking program. The study aims to critically examine the effects of Impostor syndrome on college campuses, and document first-hand accounts of ITTO and its impact on specific student groups\u27 well-being. The findings of this study are meant to provide information for future accessible digital resources for college students and to supply concerned institutions with effective methods of student support
Editor\u27s Note
Get PDFThe articles in this issue of the New England Journal of Public Policy primarily interrogate the challenges facing democracy and democratic peacebuilding in divided societies
Latinos in Massachusetts Selected Areas: Chicopee
Get PDFChicopee has a population of 55,560, of whom 13,027 identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2020 Decennial Census. The majority of the city identifies as non- Latino White, while Latinos are the second largest population, comprising 23.4% of the population. Latinos\u27 share of the city’s population is almost twice as high as in the Massachusetts overall population, which is only 12.6% Latino. Black, Asian, and “other” populations make up 9.8% of the city’s population.
Chicopee underwent significant population shifts between 2010 and 2020, even though its population increased by only 0.5%, much slower than the statewide increase of 7.4%. The Latino population increase of 58.9% kept the city from having a population decline over the decade. Statewide, the Latino population grew by 41.4% during this same time. The larger White population of Chicopee declined by 15.6%, while the smaller Black population grew at a faster rate of 44.5%, and the Asian population grew by 25.9%.
The remainder of this profile uses 2017–2021 American Community Survey data to analyze the demographic and economic characteristics presented in this profile.
The Latino population in Chicopee, much like that of neighboring Springfield, is dominated by Puerto Ricans, who number 11,081. Other smaller Latino populations include Dominicans, Salvadorans, Mexicans, and Peruvians, though each group numbers less than 300 persons. Statewide, the five largest Latino populations in Massachusetts in order of size are Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Mexicans.
Because of its high number of Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens, Chicopee has a small foreign-born population, making up only 8.5% of the city’s residents (compared to 17.3% statewide). Only 4.7% of Latinos in Chicopee are foreign-born, compared to 32.1% for the entire state. (Note that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth, whether born on the island or the mainland)
The Growing Latino Population of Massachusetts: A Demographic and Economic Portrait
Get PDFThis report highlights the increasing number of Latinos and their growing diversity in Massachusetts. In the state, as well as nationally, Latinos’ share of the population continues to increase, while the non-Latino White population declines. The Latino population is young, with a higher rate of dependent children and a lower rate of dependent elders. Its workforce composition has not changed significantly: Latinos continue to be over-represented in blue-collar and service-sector jobs and under- represented in white-collar jobs. Across all occupational sectors (including white- collar jobs), Latino workers earn less on average than those of other ethnic-racial groups. Latinos also lag regarding private medical insurance coverage and homeownership. Owning a home is a tangible mechanism for prosperity in many families and communities, a foundation for securing the American dream